Azeem Ahmed Khan

The Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IWCCI) is playing a pivotal role in fostering socioeconomic development for women in the federal capital and its surrounding areas, thereby contributing to sustainable economic growth in Pakistan. "Females account for 52% of Pakistan’s population. If we do not involve them in economic activities, we cannot improve our country’s economic indicators," the IWCCI founding President Samina Fazil told WealthPK. "Pakistan is fortunate to have numerous skilled women who can contribute to increasing business activities, exports, and foreign exchange earnings, which are essential for sustained economic development,” she said.

The IWCCI is committed to promoting the economic empowerment of women through entrepreneurship and income generation. Samina takes pride in the significant progress made since the 1980s, when she started her boutique business. "There was not a single separate chamber for women at that time, but today there are 26 women chambers working across the country," she said. Women entrepreneurs in Pakistan have engaged in various sectors, ranging from cottage industries to small and medium enterprises. These sectors include hand-knotted carpets, handicrafts, gems and jewellery, textiles, garments, home decor, furniture, leather goods, and food-related products.

"You now name a business, and you will find a woman working in it," Samina confidently asserted. Currently, the IWCCI boasts more than 1,000 members in the federal capital and its vicinity. “The IWCCI has provided women with a platform that can help them grow and take them towards a sustainability model," Samina said. The chamber facilitates discussions and resolution of critical issues related to women's businesses and organises meetings with foreign delegates, enabling women to expand their businesses into international markets.

The IWCCI has sent delegations to countries such as China and Australia to explore demand levels and forge valuable connections with organisations sharing similar objectives. Recognising the significance of training and seminars, the IWCCI conducts various programmes tailored to market demands and trends. "These initiatives equip women with essential knowledge in areas such as business management, accounting, bookkeeping, and exporting, minimising potential losses and maximising their investment returns," Samina said.

Moreover, the IWCCI collaborates with universities and colleges to ensure that students acquire business acumen, enabling them to establish their startups upon graduation. In response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the IWCCI provided guidance to women entrepreneurs on leveraging online platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram to sell their products. This helped sustain their businesses and adapt to the changing market dynamics. In addition to its core activities, the IWCCI has organised six expos and facilitated international visits to showcase women's products, create exposure opportunities, and foster marketing avenues, ultimately empowering women to improve their financial positions.

These initiatives have eliminated the need for middlemen, enabling women entrepreneurs to engage directly with customers, receive feedback, and tailor their products to meet market demands. Samina said, "The exhibitions have encouraged collaboration among women entrepreneurs, facilitating coordination in production and enhancing collective growth." When asked about the establishment of women’s chamber alongside the existing chambers of commerce and industry in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Samina explained that she initially joined the Rawalpindi Chamber but felt that women entrepreneurs' concerns were not adequately addressed.

Therefore, she undertook the challenge of establishing a separate chamber for women. There were legal limitations, as only one chamber per city was allowed. Samina worked tirelessly, meeting with the then president of Pakistan and commerce and law ministers to advocate necessary amendments to the law. Consequently, the IWCCI was officially established in year 2000 and obtained a licence from the Ministry of Commerce in 2009.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk